Fifth generation (U502, 2011-2019) · 2011–2019

Ford Explorer U502

We have 53 configurations of the U502 Explorer, model years 2011–2019. The 2019 Ford Explorer has up to 7.8 in of ground clearance and an approach angle of up to 15.6°, both on the All trims, XLT and Sport, 2018. It is rated to tow up to 5,000 lb (All trims 3.5L EcoBoost V6 4WD with the Class III Trailer Tow Package (52T; Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package in 2011-2015 guides)).

MakerSources: Ford.com 2018 Explorer model page · 2019 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide

Documents last checked Oct 12, 2026.

Model years: 2011–2019
Configurations: 53
Sourced numbers: 459
Documents: 40

2018 XLT 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 FWD, drawn to scale from its published dimensions.

01 / Key numbers

U502 key numbers

The best configuration for each number, factory packages included and fleet-only configurations left out, from the newest model year that publishes it. Each links to its document.

Ground clearance: 7.8 in198 mmAll trims, XLT and Sport · 2018MakerFord.com 2018 Explorer model page
Approach angle: 15.6°All trims, XLT and Sport · 2018MakerFord.com 2018 Explorer model page
Breakover angle: 16.9°All trims, XLT and Sport · 2018MakerFord.com 2018 Explorer model page
Departure angle: 20.9°All trims, XLT and Sport · 2018MakerFord.com 2018 Explorer model page
Max towing: 5,000 lb2,268 kgAll trims 3.5L EcoBoost V6 4WD with the Class III Trailer Tow Package (52T; Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package in 2011-2015 guides) · 2019Maker2019 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide
Curb weight: 4,557–4,731 lb2019, 5 configurationsMakerCanadian Vehicle Specifications, 2019 Ford Explorer (NHTSA vPIC GetCanadianVehicleSpecifications, metric)

02 / Spec plate

Spec plate

2019 Ford Explorer

One configuration per trim, named under each heading, with its numbers as Ford prints them. “Up to” is a ceiling printed over several configurations (the notes say whose), “from” the lowest figure, and a range is printed across that configuration’s grades. “Door label” means the maker prints it only on each vehicle’s certification label.

2019 Ford Explorer: numbers per trim, one configuration each
Dimensions and bed
	All trimsAll trims 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 FWD
Length	198.4 in
Width	78.7 in
Height	69.7 in
Wheelbase	113.0 in
Weights, loads and capacities
Curb weight	4,557 lb
Max towing	2,000 lb
Roof load, driving	up to 100 lb¹
Fuel tank	18.6 gal

Off-road: Not in the Ford documents we have for the 2019 lineup: ground clearance, angles or wading depth.
Off-road hardware: Not in the Ford documents we have for the 2019 lineup: tires, low range or differentials.

¹Ford prints roof load while driving up to 100 lb for the All trims / XLT / Sport 5-door SUV: a ceiling, not a figure for each configuration.

Sources: 2019 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide · 2019 Ford Explorer Owner's Manual (2019-Ford-Explorer-Owners-Manual-version-2_om-EN-US_09_2018) · Canadian Vehicle Specifications, 2019 Ford Explorer (NHTSA vPIC GetCanadianVehicleSpecifications, metric) · How we source the numbers

03 / Configurations

Every U502 configuration

53 configurations the maker sells or sold, from its price lists and spec sheets, as each comes from the factory.

20195 configurations

2019 Ford Explorer U502: every configuration with its numbers
Configuration	Max towing	Curb weight
All trims 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 FWD	2,000 lb5,000 lb¹	4,557 lb
All trims 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 4WD	2,000 lb5,000 lb¹	4,731 lb
All trims 2.3L EcoBoost I4 FWD	2,000 lb3,000 lb²	4,557 lb
All trims 2.3L EcoBoost I4 4WD	—3,000 lb²	4,731 lb
All trims 3.5L EcoBoost V6 4WD	—5,000 lb¹	4,731 lb

MakerSources: 2019 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide · Canadian Vehicle Specifications, 2019 Ford Explorer (NHTSA vPIC GetCanadianVehicleSpecifications, metric)

201811 configurations

2018 Ford Explorer U502: every configuration with its numbers
Configuration	Ground clearance	Approach	Breakover	Departure	Max towing	Curb weight	Tires
All trims 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 FWD	7.8 in	15.6°	16.9°	20.9°	2,000 lb5,000 lb¹	4,458 lb³	—
All trims 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 4WD	7.8 in	15.6°	16.9°	20.9°	2,000 lb5,000 lb¹	4,731 lb	—
All trims 2.3L EcoBoost I4 FWD	7.8 in	15.6°	16.9°	20.9°	2,000 lb3,000 lb²	4,557 lb	—
All trims 2.3L EcoBoost I4 4WD	7.8 in	15.6°	16.9°	20.9°	—3,000 lb²	4,731 lb	—
All trims 3.5L EcoBoost V6 4WD	7.8 in	15.6°	16.9°	20.9°	—5,000 lb¹	4,731 lb	—
XLT 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 FWD	7.8 in	15.6°	16.9°	20.9°	2,000 lb5,000 lb¹	4,458 lb³	P245/60R18
XLT 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 4WD	7.8 in	15.6°	16.9°	20.9°	2,000 lb5,000 lb¹	4,731 lb	P245/60R18
XLT 2.3L EcoBoost I4 FWD	7.8 in	15.6°	16.9°	20.9°	2,000 lb3,000 lb²	4,557 lb	P245/60R18
XLT 2.3L EcoBoost I4 4WD	7.8 in	15.6°	16.9°	20.9°	—3,000 lb²	4,731 lb	P245/60R18
Sport 3.5L EcoBoost V6 4WD	7.8 in	15.6°	16.9°	20.9°	—5,000 lb¹	4,731 lb	P255/50R20
Police Interceptor Utility 3.7L V6 4WD	—	—	—	—	2,500 lb	—	245/55R18

MakerSources: Ford.com 2018 Explorer model page · 2018 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide · Canadian Vehicle Specifications, 2018 Ford Explorer (NHTSA vPIC GetCanadianVehicleSpecifications, metric) · Ford.com 2018 Explorer model page · Ford Police Interceptor 2018 Sedan and Utility Police Modifiers Guide (1/2018)

201711 configurations

2017 Ford Explorer U502: every configuration with its numbers
Configuration	Ground clearance	Approach	Breakover	Departure	Max towing	Curb weight	Tires
All trims 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 FWD	7.8 in	15.6°	16.9°	20.9°	2,000 lb5,000 lb¹	4,453 lb⁴	—
All trims 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 4WD	7.8 in	15.6°	16.9°	20.9°	2,000 lb5,000 lb¹	4,731 lb	—
All trims 2.3L EcoBoost I4 FWD	7.8 in	15.6°	16.9°	20.9°	2,000 lb3,000 lb²	4,557 lb	—
All trims 2.3L EcoBoost I4 4WD	7.8 in	15.6°	16.9°	20.9°	—3,000 lb²	4,731 lb	—
All trims 3.5L EcoBoost V6 4WD	7.8 in	15.6°	16.9°	20.9°	—5,000 lb¹	4,731 lb	—
XLT 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 FWD	7.8 in	15.6°	16.9°	20.9°	2,000 lb5,000 lb¹	4,453 lb⁴	P245/60R18
XLT 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 4WD	7.8 in	15.6°	16.9°	20.9°	2,000 lb5,000 lb¹	4,731 lb	P245/60R18
XLT 2.3L EcoBoost I4 FWD	7.8 in	15.6°	16.9°	20.9°	2,000 lb3,000 lb²	4,557 lb	P245/60R18
XLT 2.3L EcoBoost I4 4WD	7.8 in	15.6°	16.9°	20.9°	—3,000 lb²	4,731 lb	P245/60R18
Sport 3.5L EcoBoost V6 4WD	7.8 in	15.6°	16.9°	20.9°	—5,000 lb¹	4,731 lb	P255/50R20
Police Interceptor Utility 3.7L V6 4WD	—	—	—	—	2,500 lb	—	245/55R18

MakerSources: Ford.com 2017 Explorer model page · 2017 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide · Canadian Vehicle Specifications, 2017 Ford Explorer (NHTSA vPIC GetCanadianVehicleSpecifications, metric) · Ford.com 2017 Explorer model page · Ford Police Interceptor 2017 Sedan and Utility Police Modifiers Guide

20167 configurations

2016 Ford Explorer U502: every configuration with its numbers
Configuration	Ground clearance	Approach	Breakover	Departure	Max towing	Curb weight	Tires
All trims 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 FWD	7.8 in	15.6°	16.9°	20.9°	2,000 lb5,000 lb¹	4,443 lb⁵	—
All trims 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 4WD	7.8 in	15.6°	16.9°	20.9°	2,000 lb5,000 lb¹	4,731 lb	—
All trims 2.3L EcoBoost I4 FWD	7.8 in	15.6°	16.9°	20.9°	2,000 lb3,000 lb²	4,557 lb	—
All trims 2.3L EcoBoost I4 4WD	7.8 in	15.6°	16.9°	20.9°	—3,000 lb²	4,731 lb	—
All trims 3.5L EcoBoost V6 4WD	7.8 in	15.6°	16.9°	20.9°	—5,000 lb¹	4,731 lb	—
Sport 3.5L EcoBoost V6 4WD	7.8 in	15.6°	16.9°	20.9°	—5,000 lb¹	4,731 lb	P255/50R20
Police Interceptor Utility 3.7L V6 4WD	—	—	—	—	2,500 lb	—	245/55R18

MakerSources: Ford.com 2016 Explorer model page · 2016 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide · Canadian Vehicle Specifications, 2016 Ford Explorer (NHTSA vPIC GetCanadianVehicleSpecifications, metric) · Ford Police Interceptor 2016 Sedan and Utility Police Modifiers Guide (4/2016)

20155 configurations

2015 Ford Explorer U502: every configuration with its numbers
Configuration	Max towing	Curb weight	Tires
All trims 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 FWD	2,000 lb5,000 lb¹	4,557 lb	—
All trims 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 4WD	2,000 lb5,000 lb¹	4,731 lb	—
All trims 2.0L EcoBoost I4 FWD	2,000 lb	4,557 lb	—
All trims 3.5L EcoBoost V6 4WD	2,000 lb5,000 lb¹	4,731 lb	—
Police Interceptor Utility 3.7L V6 4WD	2,500 lb	—	245/55R18

MakerSources: 2015 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide · Canadian Vehicle Specifications, 2015 Ford Explorer (NHTSA vPIC GetCanadianVehicleSpecifications, metric) · Ford Police Interceptor 2015 Sedan and Utility Police Modifiers Guide

20145 configurations

2014 Ford Explorer U502: every configuration with its numbers
Configuration	Max towing	Curb weight	Tires
All trims 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 FWD	2,000 lb5,000 lb¹	4,557 lb	—
All trims 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 4WD	2,000 lb5,000 lb¹	4,731 lb	—
All trims 2.0L EcoBoost I4 FWD	2,000 lb	4,557 lb	—
All trims 3.5L EcoBoost V6 4WD	2,000 lb5,000 lb¹	4,731 lb	—
Police Interceptor Utility 3.7L V6 4WD	2,500 lb	—	245/55R18

MakerSources: 2014 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide · Canadian Vehicle Specifications, 2014 Ford Explorer (NHTSA vPIC GetCanadianVehicleSpecifications, metric) · Ford Police Interceptor 2014 Sedan and Utility Police Modifier Guide (6/2013)

20134 configurations

2013 Ford Explorer U502: every configuration with its numbers
Configuration	Max towing	Curb weight
All trims 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 FWD	2,000 lb5,000 lb¹	4,557 lb
All trims 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 4WD	2,000 lb5,000 lb¹	4,731 lb
All trims 2.0L EcoBoost I4 FWD	2,000 lb	4,557 lb
All trims 3.5L EcoBoost V6 4WD	2,000 lb5,000 lb¹	4,731 lb

MakerSources: 2013 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide · Canadian Vehicle Specifications, 2013 Ford Explorer (NHTSA vPIC GetCanadianVehicleSpecifications, metric)

20123 configurations

2012 Ford Explorer U502: every configuration with its numbers
Configuration	Max towing	Curb weight
All trims 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 FWD	2,000 lb5,000 lb¹	4,557 lb
All trims 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 4WD	2,000 lb5,000 lb¹	4,731 lb
All trims 2.0L EcoBoost I4 FWD	2,000 lb	4,557 lb

MakerSources: 2012 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide · Canadian Vehicle Specifications, 2012 Ford Explorer (NHTSA vPIC GetCanadianVehicleSpecifications, metric)

20112 configurations

2011 Ford Explorer U502: every configuration with its numbers
Configuration	Ground clearance	Approach	Breakover	Departure	Max towing	Curb weight
All trims 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 FWD	7.6 in	21.7°	16.5°	21.4°	2,000 lb5,000 lb¹	4,557 lb
All trims 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 4WD	7.6 in	21.7°	16.5°	21.4°	2,000 lb5,000 lb¹	4,731 lb

MakerSources: Ford.com 2011 Explorer specifications page · 2011 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide · Canadian Vehicle Specifications, 2011 Ford Explorer (NHTSA vPIC GetCanadianVehicleSpecifications, metric)

¹ With the Class III Trailer Tow Package (52T; Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package in 2011-2015 guides): the maker’s figure for the configuration with that factory option.
² With the Class II Trailer Tow Package (52R): the maker’s figure for the configuration with that factory option.
³ Ford’s documents disagree: 4,458 lb (website) vs 4,557 lb (government data).
⁴ Ford’s documents disagree: 4,453 lb (website) vs 4,557 lb (government data).
⁵ Ford’s documents disagree: 4,443 lb (website) vs 4,557 lb (government data).

A dash means the maker’s documents we have don’t give that number for that configuration, and a column with no number for any configuration of the year isn’t shown. “Door label” means the maker prints it only on each vehicle’s certification label, and “not published” that the maker doesn’t print it, or points elsewhere. “Up to” is a ceiling the maker prints over several configurations; a range is the maker’s own, printed across the grades of that configuration.

04 / Questions

Ford Explorer U502 questions, answered with numbers

Only what Ford’s documents answer; each answer names its model year. Towing and payload, year by year, are on the Explorer towing page.

What is the ground clearance of the 2018 Ford Explorer?

Up to 7.8 in, on the All trims, XLT and Sport.

MakerSource: Ford.com 2018 Explorer model page

What size tires come on the 2018 Ford Explorer?

P245/60R18 on the XLT, P255/50R20 on the Sport and 245/55R18 on the Police Interceptor Utility (fleet). By its size code, the P255/50R20 is about 30.0 in tall, the largest of them.

MakerSources: Ford.com 2018 Explorer model page · Ford.com 2018 Explorer model page · Ford Police Interceptor 2018 Sedan and Utility Police Modifiers Guide (1/2018)

How much does the 2019 Ford Explorer weigh?

Its curb weight runs from 4,557 lb (All trims 2.3L EcoBoost I4 FWD) to 4,731 lb (All trims 2.3L EcoBoost I4 4WD).

MakerSource: Canadian Vehicle Specifications, 2019 Ford Explorer (NHTSA vPIC GetCanadianVehicleSpecifications, metric)

How big is the 2019 Ford Explorer’s fuel tank?

18.6 gal on every configuration of the 2019 lineup.

MakerSource: 2019 Ford Explorer Owner's Manual (2019-Ford-Explorer-Owners-Manual-version-2_om-EN-US_09_2018)

How much weight can the 2019 Ford Explorer’s roof carry?

While driving: up to 100 lb on every configuration of the 2019 lineup. The driving figure is the one that counts for a roof tent or a loaded rack on the move.

MakerSource: 2019 Ford Explorer Owner's Manual (2019-Ford-Explorer-Owners-Manual-version-2_om-EN-US_09_2018)

05 / Sources

The documents

Every number on this page comes from one of these 40 documents. Last checked Oct 12, 2026.

Only the maker’s own documents: press kits, spec sheets, towing guides and owner’s manuals. How we source the numbers.

06 / Generations

Other Explorer generations

2020–present · 47 configurations

U625 Sixth generation (U625, 2020-)

Clearance: 8.2 in
Approach: 20.5°
Tows up to: 5,000 lb

Best configuration of the 2026 lineup

U625 specs →

07 / Keep going

More on the Explorer

Compare with the U502 Explorer’s rivals on sale in 2011–2019:

Towing capacity, model year by model year: